The last few weeks certainly haven't provided a great deal of positive news for the Ohio State football program but Wednesday afternoon gave fans some much welcomed positive news as Bedford (Ohio) defensive back made his verbal pledge to the Buckeyes. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound corner realized a life-long dream when he became the eighth member of Ohio State's 2012 recruiting class.

"The opportunity that getting an education at Ohio State provides for me is bigger than at any other school that I chose from today," said Powell. "(The decision) wasn't really difficult because I had my decision pretty much made already. It's a childhood dream to go there and I wanted to fulfill that childhood dream. Ohio State helps you with getting an education and helps you get to the NFL so you're killing two birds with one stone."

Despite the news of Jim Tressel's resignation on Monday morning, Powell says he never wavered in his desire to be a Buckeye.

"When I first heard the news on Monday morning, I immediately called coach (Taver) Johnson," he said. "We talked a little bit and I let him know that no matter what happened that I still wanted to be a Buckeye. We talked today before the decision and he gave me a couple words of encouragement."

The pressure of being an Ohio State commit is not always an easy thing to deal with on the football field. Every Friday night in the fall, opposing teams are going to give Powell their best shots and he says he's more than ready to live up to the billing.

"It's going to be a challenge," he said. "You know they are going to bring their A game now so I want to show them and show the world that I really can play corner and show them why Ohio State is recruiting me."

One of the major factors in Powell's decision was his loyalty to his community and to the state of Ohio in general.

"The reason I chose Ohio State is that we talk about loyalty here at Bedford and I'm not going to take my talents outside of the state."

Getting his decision over with in time to focus on his senior season was also an important factor for Powell.

"Yeah it was a lot (to deal with) so now I can focus on my senior year," he said.

Later this month, Powell will get his first chance to set foot on campus as a committed prospect as he still plans to camp with the Buckeyes on June 25th.